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The framework rejects Al-Zidi’s remarks: No dismissal or resignation of ministers

A government source revealed on Thursday that the leaders of the Coordination Framework rejected the withdrawal or resignation of any of the ministers in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government at the present time, even if the latter had an objection to the performance of one of the ministers. SubscribingTo Digital Newspaper Outlets

The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that “the information that some have promoted regarding the resignation of one of the ministers of Ali al-Zaidi’s government is inaccurate,” indicating that “the leaders of the framework informed the Prime Minister of their refusal to dismiss or accept the resignation of any of the current ministers, except after the completion of the government cabinet.”

He added that “any withdrawal or dismissal of a minister at the present time would weaken al-Zidi’s government, while the Shiite bloc is keen to support and strengthen the government to overcome the challenges it faces.”

The source indicated that “the Prime Minister, after more than 100 days since the start of his government, noted the performance of a number of ministries, including sovereign ministries, but the forces of the framework refused to dismiss or replace any minister before the completion of the government cabinet.”

On May 14, 2026, the Iraqi parliament granted confidence to the government of Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and its ministerial program, and voted on 14 ministers out of 23, while nine portfolios remained postponed due to disagreements over names and quotas, including the Interior, Defense, Higher Education and Planning ministries.

Shafaq.com

Desert tourism in Iraq: A natural resource awaiting investment

Iraqi tourism is looking for new ways to diversify the tourism product, including desert tourism, which is still in its early stages, despite Iraq having vast areas and natural and cultural sites that can be a destination for tourists, especially in the governorates of Anbar, Muthanna, Najaf, Karbala and Dhi Qar. IraqTravel Guide

Ali Yassin, spokesman for the Tourism Authority at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, told Shafaq News Agency that desert tourism is still in its initial stage, but it has begun to receive increasing attention within tourism diversification plans.

Yassin explained that the Iraqi desert regions possess unique natural and cultural resources, but this type of tourism still lacks an organized investment and tourism framework, in addition to the limited products and services directed to tourists in those regions.

He pointed out that current activities are mostly limited to individual trips or trips organized by local and international organizations, in addition to nature and desert photography activities by amateurs.

Yassin believes that the Iraqi desert offers multiple assets that can be transformed into marketable tourism products, taking advantage of its natural diversity, which includes valleys, hills, rocks, sand dunes, and clear skies, as well as the possibility of stargazing away from light pollution.

The most prominent proposed products include desert camping, both traditional and luxury, and the establishment of tents equipped with tourist services and nighttime programs that include local food and music. Astrotourism can also be developed by organizing programs to view stars and planets, using guides who specialize in astronomy, and choosing sites far from sources of light pollution.

The proposed products also include hiking and climbing trips through valleys and sand dunes, with local guides and rest stops provided, along with adventure tourism that includes desert biking, sandboarding and dune racing in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Desert tourism is not limited to nature and adventure, as it can include cultural and tribal tourism through visiting Bedouin communities and learning about traditional hospitality patterns, folklore performances, local cuisine and handicrafts, as well as organizing workshops for desert photography at sunrise and sunset, wildlife photography, holding specialized courses and producing documentaries and geographical programs.

The spokesperson for the Tourism Authority also confirmed that developing desert tourism can contribute to creating job opportunities for local communities in remote areas, in addition to supporting the local economy and diversifying sources of income.

According to the proposed vision, this type of tourism is linked to the concept of sustainable ecotourism, provided that controls are put in place to preserve natural resources, plants and wildlife in desert areas.

Yassin continued, saying that transforming these capabilities into an actual tourism sector requires a clear institutional framework, with the participation of the Tourism Authority, the Ministries of Environment, Interior and Transport, the relevant governorate councils, as well as the private sector, the local community, and environmental and cultural organizations.

Among the proposals put forward is the establishment of a unit specializing in the development of desert tourism within the Tourism Authority, in addition to setting up a licensing system for desert camps, adventure travel companies, and desert guides.

The activity also requires organizing camping, camel riding, desert trips and stargazing trips, ensuring safety, insurance and training requirements.

Opportunities for the private sector to invest in ecotourism and adventure companies, desert camps and eco-hotels, as well as transportation and logistics services within desert areas, are emerging.

It also proposes the establishment of a coordination committee comprising government agencies, governorates, the private sector, the local community, and environmental and cultural organizations, with the adoption of performance indicators to measure the impact of desert tourism, a system for classifying and licensing camps and trips, as well as conducting periodic environmental and security monitoring.

These proposals come within a broader direction of the Tourism Authority to diversify the Iraqi tourism product, as the announced tourism vision includes goals to attract tourists and develop archaeological, heritage, cultural, religious and natural sites, with a focus on integration, sustainability and quality. IraqTravel Guide

While the Iraqi desert possesses vast natural resources, transforming it into a tourist destination requires moving from limited trips and individual initiatives to organized tourism products, supported by infrastructure, legislation and investment, making the desert one of the new paths for diversifying tourism in Iraq.

Shafaq.com

A parliamentary committee reveals: An Iraqi delegation will head to Iran to negotiate the passage of oil tankers.

Member of Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, MP Ahmed Al-Khazali, revealed on Thursday that an Iraqi delegation of political leaders representing different groups will head to Iran to negotiate the passage of oil tankers. History

Al-Khazali said in his interview with the program “Openly,” which is broadcast by Al-Sumaria TV, that “Iraq is facing a clear economic problem as a result of the developments of the war and its impact on oil exports, noting that the country’s heavy reliance on oil revenues has made the economy more affected by the current crisis.”

He explained that “Iraq needs about 8 trillion dinars per month to cover the needs of employees,” considering that “the continued reliance on oil and the failure to diversify revenues during the past years was a mistake whose effects have appeared with the current crisis.”

Al-Khazali confirmed that “employees’ salaries are secured according to the statements of the Minister of Finance, but he acknowledged the existence of economic pressure that necessitates searching for solutions and alternatives in the event that the Strait of Hormuz crisis continues.”

In response to a question about the possibility of leveraging Iraq’s relationship with Iran to obtain an exemption allowing the passage of ships loaded with Iraqi oil, Khazali revealed the formation of a committee comprising political leaders from various Iraqi factions, saying that it “will go to the Islamic Republic and negotiate according to this vision,” stressing “the need to reach a quick solution.”

He pointed to “the growth in revenues from border crossings, but stressed that they alone cannot compensate for oil revenues,” noting “the importance of accelerating oil exports via the Ceyhan pipeline with a capacity of up to 750,000 barrels.”

He added that “there are small quantities of Iraqi oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” calling on the government and the Ministry of Finance to “put in place alternatives to address the crisis and ensure the state’s financial obligations, foremost among them the salaries of employees.”

He stressed that “the House of Representatives has begun exploring ways to diversify revenue sources, by hosting the Ministers of Industry, Trade, Agriculture and Oil and discussing ways to activate the economic and investment sectors and reduce dependence on oil.”

Burathanews.com

Political complications delay the appointment of ministers… and the candidates have not yet reached Al-Zaydi.

A parliamentary source revealed on Thursday the depth of the disagreements among political blocs regarding the selection of candidates for the vacant ministerial posts in the cabinet, confirming that the Prime Minister has not yet received the official lists of nominees.

The source told Al-Maalomah that “the disagreements and discussions among the political forces regarding the vacant ministerial portfolios remain complex and have not reached a resolution,” explaining that “this impasse has prevented the names of the nominees from being sent to the Prime Minister.”

The source added that “completing the cabinet has become an urgent necessity to confront the security, financial, and economic challenges and crises facing the country,” calling on “the State Administration Coalition to hold an urgent meeting and intensify its dialogues to reach final agreements and resolve this issue as quickly as possible.” EconomicForecasting Services

Almaalomah.me

Iraq signs $500 million in contracts in July, with oil and gas projects leading the way.

Iraq recorded contracts worth a total of $500 million in the oil and gas sector during July, according to data reported by the specialized magazine MEED, making it one of the most prominent countries in the region that witnessed the awarding of new projects, at a time when the value of contracts awarded in the Middle East and North Africa region declined to $20.4 billion, compared to $26.2 billion in June. SubscribingTo News

The magazine explained that Iraq recorded two contracts with a total value of $500 million in the oil and gas sector, most notably a contract awarded to Al-Kout Towers Oil Services Company by Basra Gas Company, to implement the low-pressure gas investment project at the sixth gas compression station in the West Qurna-1 field.

At the regional level, the UAE topped the list of countries in terms of the value of contracts awarded during July, with a total of $10.9 billion, driven mainly by deals related to the gas cap and surface pressure enhancement project in the Umm Shaif field in Abu Dhabi, with a value of approximately $6.2 billion.

Egypt came in second with a total of $6.6 billion in contracts, while the value of contracts awarded in Saudi Arabia amounted to $1.9 billion, compared to $9.9 billion in June.

According to MEED, the transport and gas sectors accounted for the largest share of contracts signed in the region during the month, with a value of $6.7 billion and $6.5 billion respectively.

Recent Iraqi contracts indicate a continued focus on new investments in the energy sector, particularly associated gas investment projects, reflecting steps taken to increase the utilization of gas resources and reduce waste, in support of the country’s electricity supply.

Shafaq.com

Iraqi security forces announce the recovery of more than 93 billion dinars for the state treasury in six months.

The official spokesman for the National Security Service, Arshad al-Hakim, announced on Thursday the return of more than 93 billion dinars to the state treasury, and the seizure of $14 million and 12 billion dinars, which were deposited with the Central Bank of Iraq during the first half of 2026. DinarCurrency Exchange

The governor stated in a press conference attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency that 40 accused members and leaders of one of the fronts of the banned Baath Party had been arrested, and two formations whose members were planning to target political and security figures and monitor sensitive security sites had been dismantled.

He pointed to the handling of 754 cyberattacks and 2,740 accounts that threatened social peace within the technical and cyber effort of the agency, revealing the dismantling of a network for manipulating land files in Muthanna and the arrest of 61 defendants, and the uncovering of more than 90 forged files and transactions and the waste of public money estimated at about two billion dinars.

Shafaq.com

Bank deposits in Iraq declined by 5.6% during the first half of 2026

Economic data issued by the Central Bank of Iraq showed a decline in total deposits in the banking system during the first half of 2026, coinciding with a decrease in cash credit, indicating a continued contraction in banking activity compared to the levels recorded in previous years. DailyNews Subscription

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, total deposits at the end of June 2026 amounted to about 104.875 trillion dinars, down from 111.065 trillion dinars at the end of 2025, a decrease of 6.19 trillion dinars, or 5.6%.

Total deposits had recorded 123.327 trillion dinars at the end of 2024, and 133.499 trillion dinars at the end of 2023, showing a continuous downward trend in the volume of bank deposits during recent years.

According to the details, private sector deposits amounted to 49.964 trillion dinars at the end of June 2026, while central government deposits amounted to 31.426 trillion dinars, and public institutions’ deposits amounted to 23.485 trillion dinars.

On the credit side, the data showed a decline in total cash credit to 71.511 trillion dinars at the end of June 2026, compared to 75.584 trillion dinars at the end of 2025, a decrease of 4.073 trillion dinars, or 5.4%.

Credit provided to the private sector amounted to 46.687 trillion dinars by the end of the same period, while credit provided to the central government amounted to 22.419 trillion dinars, and credit provided to public institutions amounted to 2.405 trillion dinars.

Shafaq.com

The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief: We have not seen any rejection from the factions regarding the restriction of weapons.

The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces confirmed on Thursday that there was no “rejection” by the factions to implement the decision to restrict weapons to the state, noting that the dialogues on this issue had “come a long way”.

Major General Sabah al-Nu’man told Shafaq News Agency that talks regarding restricting weapons to the state are ongoing, stressing that “we have not seen any rejection from the factions” regarding the issue. SubscribingTo Digital Newspaper Outlets

He noted that the assigned central committee had made significant progress in these dialogues.

Al-Nu’man explained that the government will work to expedite the conclusion of the dialogues in order to reach a stage where “there are no weapons outside the state”.

He added that a group of weapons is being classified, and storage facilities have been allocated for them, along with a database of affiliates.

The media director of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Muhannad al-Aqabi, had previously indicated that the disengagement procedures were continuing, especially with “Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq” and “Saraya al-Salam”.

The issue of armed factions is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Iraqi government, with the approach of September 30, which the main political forces have set as the deadline for restricting weapons to official institutions.

The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces, stressed during its meeting on August 5 the need to restrict weapons to the state, and considered the parties that carry out activities that threaten the security of the country outside the framework of official institutions as “outlaws and must be fought.”

The coalition warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law.

The September 30th date also coincides with the deadlines related to ending the military presence of the international coalition in Iraq, which some factions use as a basis for linking the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.

Shafaq.com

A federal parliamentary committee hosts the Minister of Natural Resources in Kurdistan to discuss the oil file.

On Thursday, the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee of the Iraqi Parliament held a meeting during which it hosted the Minister of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region to discuss a number of issues related to the oil sector in the region.

Committee member Mohammed Ali Al-Nuaimi told Shafaq News Agency that “the meeting discussed the reality and mechanisms of managing and marketing oil products in the Kurdistan Region, as well as reviewing the most prominent challenges facing this file, and exploring ways to organize it in a way that achieves the public interest.” DailyNews Subscription

He added that “those gathered also discussed the draft oil and gas law, and stressed the importance of reaching solutions and legislation that regulate the management of the country’s oil wealth, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and promotes sound management of natural resources, in order to achieve the national interest and guarantee the rights of all Iraqis.”

On Wednesday, Siban Shirwani, a member of the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, revealed that there is a tripartite agreement between the federal government, the Kurdistan Regional Government and foreign companies operating in the region, stipulating that 50,000 barrels per day of crude oil produced will be allocated to meet the region’s needs for fuels and oil derivatives.

Shirwani said in a press conference held after the committee’s meeting with the federal oil minister, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “the committee decided to host on Thursday the Minister of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region, to discuss the realistic implementation of the agreement and securing the rights of citizens in the region to oil products.”

He added that “the Federal Minister of Oil or his representative, along with the Minister of Resources in Kurdistan or his representative, must attend to directly examine the reasons for the sharp rise in gasoline and fuel prices in the region and find solutions to address them.”

The Kurdistan Region in general, and the governorates of Erbil and Duhok in particular, have been experiencing a severe gasoline shortage since the middle of last month, with the material running out at most gas stations, despite the Kurdistan Regional Government’s decision to reduce prices. This has caused a decrease in supply and long queues of vehicles in front of the operating stations.

Shafaq.com